The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN, has been accepted into Harvard Business School’s prestigious Authentic Leader Development (ALD) program.
This intensive, weeklong executive education experience in June, funded by Shirey’s endowed chair, is designed to deepen self-awareness, foster emotional intelligence, and strengthen leadership grounded in personal values and purpose. Through case studies, reflective exercises, and collaborative discussions, senior leaders like Shirey are guided through a process of personal discovery and growth, engaging in personal exploration to align their motivations and values with their leadership approach, grow their authentic leadership skills, develop additional techniques to inspire others, and augment their knowledge of driving meaningful change within their organizations.
Shirey joined the School as Assistant Dean for Clinical and Global Partnerships and a tenured professor in 2013. She also chaired its Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care and was Associate Dean for Clinical and Global Partnerships and held the inaugural Jane H. Brock – Florence Nightingale Endowed Professorship in Nursing when she was named dean in June 2022, becoming the fifth leader in the School of Nursing’s now 75-year history.
Shirey, who also sits on the UAB Health System Board of Directors, is an expert in leadership science and health services outcomes research across the health care continuum. For her career contributions to advancing leadership and health systems science, Shirey was recognized in 2019 by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership with its Nurse Researcher Award. Since 2000, Shirey has maintained board certification in healthcare executive leadership and is a long time Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“I am honored to have been chosen to participate in Harvard’s highly selective Authentic Leader Development program,” said Shirey. “This opportunity will build upon my program of research and enrich my knowledge of leading with integrity and purpose providing me additional skills to further empower our faculty, staff, and students to excel in their roles and contribute meaningfully to the field of nursing.”
“Dean Shirey’s selection for the ALD program underscores her commitment to purposeful and visionary leadership,” said Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D., senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost. “We look forward to all that she will continue to accomplish as she brings new insights and inspiration back to UAB. Her growth as a leader will further elevate the School of Nursing and the impact it makes across our campus, community, and beyond.”